Scholarship available for popular study abroad program

KALAMAZOO--Students looking for a short-term study abroad
experience, as well as help to pay for it, are encouraged to
sign up now for Western Michigan University's Grand Tour of Europe
course.

Although Feb. 15, 2005, is the deadline to enroll, this popular
course is expected to fill up quickly because one lucky student
participant will win a $1,595 scholarship in honor of the program's
upcoming 20th anniversary.

The merit-based scholarship will cover the course's program
fee, which pays for tuition, fees, instructional costs, and health
and accident insurance. The travel/lodging package for the course
costs and additional $4,025, but students who are eligible for
federal or state financial aid may use their awards for study
abroad.

The Grand Tour of Europe is four-credit survey class focusing
on the art and culture of the Italian Renaissance, Dutch Golden
Age and Impressionist movement. It will be offered during Summer
Session I from May 3 to June 2, 2005, and may be taken for either
undergraduate or graduate credit.

"These cities are all beautiful, stunning, historic sites--they
are the textbook for this class," ten Harmsel says. "We
discover new and interesting things every year. For instance,
we were in Europe when the Berlin Wall came down and over the
past 10 years have been able to witness the restoration of Sistine
Chapel frescos by Michelangelo and Da Vinci."

Enrollment in the Grand Tour of Europe is limited to 18 students
in good academic standing. The scholarship winner will be selected
from among all of the students who are admitted to the course.
Acceptance will be determined by a committee from the Office
of Study Abroad, which will review the academic records and required
essays of all applicants. Once the number of participants reaches
18 students, enrollment will be closed.